Deltayankeeboi:


I intend to practice in any field that will give me a good life. I plan on going for Master's degree first on full scholarship in Germany in microbiology or related course and if possible base there. I believe age comes into play too in having a good career in education, by the time I will be ready to go for my Master's, I will probably be 25,26 by then because I have to work for money first. I feel that age is too late sir.

I have checked online, the prospects for animal and environmental biology graduate are not really encouraging as they are not much needed in the western world from what I gathered online but not sure about the true reality there, even worse here in Nigeria, the course is nothing. I regret been in the department now.

Not even sure if there are management programme courses one can do related to zoology. I'm really confused.

I initially thought to give nairaland some serious break because I was recently banned for no reason and considered that an insult. But I logged in just to add my thoughts to the points you raised. One caveat though, I'm not a medical or biological person. So take note.

Now

1. Although the earlier is almost always the better these days, starting an MSc at age 25/26 is not late and the "late age" factor is not necessarily a big issue. I started MSc at that same age and in the same country you stated. You're likely to find that your European or Asian colleagues are max max 4 years younger than you. That's not a big deal.

2. Germany is a nice country, but in my experience I don't think it's the optimal country to 'base'. As an immigrant from English speaking Africa, you're more likely to do well in the usual foreign countries, aka the English world, than elsewhere. This is not to say that others don't make it elsewhere, just much harder.

3. I will tell you the strategy I have planned for my sister's child studying zoology abi na botany or animal science. Maybe you will take one or two things from there. First, blast all the best grades possible in naija. Second, go to NYSC and spend most of the time prepping harrd for the GRE. Basically one year preparation for the GRE, heavy heavy prep, as if life depended on it. Third, 'appear' (lol, Indian word) for the GRE exam immediately after or towards the end of NYSC and score ~167+ in quantitative, ~ 166+ in verbal, and ~ 4.5+ in writing. Fourth, enrol for a postgraduate diploma in Statistics, preferably at a good private university or at any university where getting a top GPA is sure. Fifth, graduate with a GPA close to the maximum 5 point in the PgDip. Finally, apply for admissions and full scholarships to pursue a Master or PhD in biomedical engineering, genetic engineering, biostatistics, bioinformatics, epidemiology, health policy/informatics etc etc at the best or at least at mid-ranking universities, preferably in the US. With a degree in any of these fields, a gainful and successful career becomes more likely.

So, in four words, no need to regret.

Prudency045:
The importance of good grades cannot be over emphasized. Having a first class degree is something to be proud of. However, don't let it get into your head.

During school days, first class students even have their clique and don't relate with classmates who are on 2.2 or 3rd class. Some of them were so full of themselves thinking their First degree equate to good jobs after graduation.

They realised that first class doesn't equate to good jobs during our IT semester. Only a few of them got good IT placement. While the students they looked down on got good IT placements. Some in the oil & gas, others in multinational FMCG.

Upon resumption for the final year, the first class students started relating with everybody. I guess they were exposed to the reality of life.

Even after graduation, the first class students struggled to get good jobs. Las las na Masters and PhD routes abroad be their best option.

Before you start saying I am beefing First Class graduate, I graduated with a 2.1( 4.35/5.00). At least I was among the best 15 students in a class of 120 students.

I agree with your post up till the penultimate paragraph.

You wrote as if getting a job strictly dominates earning a Master's and or PhD from a decent school abroad. It does not. One of the big benefits of a first class is that it gives way many options, especially if the first class holder has all the important skills you mentioned above and more.

With a first class, the right attitude and information and the right favour, many options will come and many doors will open. I know of a girl here on nairaland who was almost losing it. With her high GPA and good ability, she still couldn't get a job in naija. But thankfully, we came in contact and one thing led to another, long story short, she is now completing a paid graduate study abroad. Definitely this option would not have been available or would have been more difficult had she paraded a not-so-impressive academic degree.

Yes, people should have other skills and all, but a combination of these skills with a top academic performance is a killer combo. Even some Master/PhD programmes pay student up to 38K+ to 40K thousand dollars in stipend. That's not bad, even by western country standards. I know of some people enjoying this. Anyway, people have different paths in life. For me, the advice I get people from poor homes is to make sure they get top grades. These still open doors far and wide.

Ghosted419:
Don’t be swayed by those get a skill crew!! There’s no substitute for graduating on top of the class, is exceptional. Especially being a first class product.
Acquiring a skill is good, but being a first class graduate Unveils one to unimaginable opportunities which are unavailable to other class of degree.
P.s Attentions are particularly given to those who pose in-depth knowledge in their field of studies

I agree with you. A top degree opens doors and will continue to open doors until universities cancel grades as a way of assessing students.

But a first class degree in only a first step towards getting "in-depth knowledge in their field of studies". There is still a long way to go in order to achieve this and because of this, someone not with a first class can also attention the standard of in-depth knowledge later, even possibly much more so than those who made first class in undergrad

Jarus:


How many footballers on the street will become Mikel Obi?

Compare to how many high performers in school will turn out to lead a comfortable life after school.

Don't mind people bringing in footballers all the time, comparing apples and meat. Is everyone trying to be footballers? Or do they know how many university-educated people are making it big in life? Bill Ackman just turned 27 million to 2.6 billion recently. He is educated and has an MBA. Do we now say those who have no education will not make it? Or do we say because Elon Musk has a strong education, only those with education will make it?

Man, I tire.

Admitwithschola:


I initially thought to give nairaland some serious break because I was recently banned for no reason and considered that an insult. But I logged in just to add my thoughts to the points you raised. One caveat though, I'm not a medical or biological person. So take note.

Now

1. Although the earlier is almost always the better these days, starting an MSc at age 25/26 is not late and the "late age" factor is not necessarily a big issue. I started MSc at that same age and in the same country you stated. You're likely to find that your European or Asian colleagues are max max 4 years younger than you. That's not a big deal.

2. Germany is a nice country, but in my experience I don't think it's the optimal country to 'base'. As an immigrant from English speaking Africa, you're more likely to do well in the usual foreign countries, aka the English world, than elsewhere. This is not to say that others don't make it elsewhere, just much harder.

3. I will tell you the strategy I have planned for my sister's child studying zoology abi na botany or animal science. Maybe you will take one or two things from there. First, blast all the best grades possible in naija. Second, go to NYSC and spend most of the time prepping harrd for the GRE. Basically one year preparation for the GRE, heavy heavy prep, as if life depended on it. Third, 'appear' (lol, Indian word) for the GRE exam immediately after or towards the end of NYSC and score ~167+ in quantitative, ~ 166+ in verbal, and ~ 4.5+ in writing. Fourth, enrol for a postgraduate diploma in Statistics, preferably at a good private university or at any university where getting a top GPA is sure. Fifth, graduate with a GPA close to the maximum 5 point in the PgDip. Finally, apply for admissions and full scholarships to pursue a Master or PhD in biomedical engineering, genetic engineering, biostatistics, bioinformatics, epidemiology, health policy/informatics etc etc at the best or at least at mid-ranking universities, preferably in the US. With a degree in any of these fields, a gainful and successful career becomes more likely.

So, in four words, no need to regret.

Thank you sir for your reply.

For the Post Graduate in Statistics, is it a prerequisite to do my Master's in those courses you listed?

The reason why I chose Germany for my Master's later is because of their free tuition universities and easy access to scholarship which might be my only easy means as personal funding and sponsorship might deter me.


I actually plan on going directly to do my Master's degree immediately after my NYSC(planning on going through scholarship) as I'm already a First Class student in Zoology.

For the GRE, I think personal funding is the only thing that will deter me from any career in Canada or USA as their scholarship is hard to get, which is the reason I choose Germany to start up.

I would love your further input sir.

Abyima:
That was then and not now in Nigeria. Not only first class students this days but 2:1 find it difficult to get a job in Nigeria. Even Lecturing job in Universities for students with first class is man no man.

Back then, If one graduates with first class, on the day you convoke, u get automatic employment. Different companies, e.t.c will be there just to give you a job. But not now.

I am a first class student who graduated in 2018. When i was looking for a job, it was difficult for different company to take me. Any company i entered, after hearing my degree, they will be afraid to ask me a question. Some will say they will get back to me. I waited and no way. But there were some company that were happy and told me to give them my certificate.

Managers who has 2:1 will be afraid to employ a first class student. They don't want first class student to outsmart them.

So, it is good for first class student not to get carried away with their degree. They should not depend on their degree. They should learn skills so as to benefit from it. First class are meant to create jobs for people. But many of them lack this knowledge but get blindfolded with their degree.


For me, I have thrown my certificate one corner. I am happy i got the first class, cause i worked for it. My next step now, is to employ people. Who knows, my certificate will be useful tomorrow.

First class is not a disease. We are teachers, we are boss.

I am not sure where you get the idea that managers were afraid of you because of your top university degree. Did you ever consider that you weren't taken because you were not a great feat for them? Or does your first class exclude you from rejection or bad performance? No, it does not. Your comment is really strange. What is a first class outsmarting good people who are also very experienced? First class undergrad > experienced veterans? Lool. This is quite strange. But you will get more exposure as time goes on and will get to know that even first class people with GPA close to 5, they suffer bad rejections sometimes because of their inadequacies. No one is perfect or will ever be perfect.

Jarus:
All the first class in my circle are doing well, except one that chose not to be materially inclined so opted to be an alfa.

From Shell to Chevron, they are there.

One of them was struggling to raise N17k school fees in our final year in 2005/2006. He now owns at least 3 houses, one in Lekki.

Let nobody deceive you that first class is a waste. Hustle for it, but make sure you can defend it.

Ring it again and again let them hear. If undergraduate students can get a first, by all means they should go for it. It opens doors.

Abi I reported here sometime ago that I met with one of your egg heads at Harvard of all places. He was invited as a panelist to share his ideas on navigating business in Africa. Perhaps if he didn't earn a top undergrad at Ife and subsequently good opportunities which led him to the business he is now running, perhaps the story might have been different.

Young people, top academic performance still makes sense. If fact, people go out of their ways to support such people. I do that routinely.

MhizJoyce:

Rubbish. Having a first class degree is tantamount to having a degree in cramming. All you do is cram. Get a skill.

Not necessarily. It involves all tactics of succeeding - understanding, cramming, reciting, etc etc. Getting a first class is impressive. I told my nieces and nephews and young people, if you get a top first class, I will take you to Oxford and Cambridge

Investnow2017:


Which University? My friends who made a first class in UNN and another in UNIBEN were boldly told, "my friend your mates that made first class 5 years ago are still pending on the list of those to be considered as graduate assistants".

Maybe in a private uni. In those good old days you got a job automatically as a first class graduate in the same University. Not now again dear.
.

I don't believe you. I challenge you to ask those your friends to email me, let's see whether something won't happen.

I gave someone this challenge some time ago and they fizzled out - no such friends existed.

Pls advice me,i am about to round up my dergraduate studies in electronic and elctrical engineering hoping to graduate with cgpa of 4.+ and i will like to apply for a fully funded scholarship abroad after my service year.....is it feasible for me to get a scholarship and what are the things i would need,pls enlighten me.

Deltayankeeboi:
Thank you sir for your reply.

For the Post Graduate in Statistics, is it a prerequisite to do my Master's in those courses you listed?

The reason why I chose Germany for my Master's later is because of their free tuition universities and easy access to scholarship which might be my only easy means as personal funding and sponsorship might deter me.


I actually plan on going directly to do my Master's degree immediately after my NYSC(planning on going through scholarship) as I'm already a First Class student in Zoology.

For the GRE, I think personal funding is the only thing that will deter me from any career in Canada or USA as their scholarship is hard to get, which is the reason I choose Germany to start up.

I would love your further input sir.

Hi, you really ignorant bro.

With top grades like yours, hopefully with a solid GRE, you can get a full scholarship in the US and Canada and Europe (without GRE). Search nairaland, lots of info on this. So, yes, people are attending graduate school in the US, Europe and around the world for freeeeeeeee. I did, many years ago. People are still doing so.

Yes, zoology does not have any or have little quantitative component. Same with the other biological courses. This is why my people must do a PgDip first in statistics. A top BSc + top pDip in stats + top GRE score = full scholarship to some of the best universities in the world in one of those courses I listed.

Given my strategy, I would advice my cousin or family against a master in zoology if they already have a first class degree in it.

Saving alawee money of NYSC can amount to 80K which can be used to take the GRE. But to not waste the money, it must be ensured that the GRE is blasted. Search nairaland for information on GRE.

You can still get European scholarships like erasmus, there are many of them, without anything frigging GRE. You can get Japan or Asian scholarship too if you like Asia. But I just prefer America (you don't have to) because if provides wider options and greater chances of getting a scholarship.

NDSMELODY:
Pls advice me,i am about to round up my dergraduate studies in electronic and elctrical engineering hoping to graduate with cgpa of 4.+ and i will like to apply for a fully funded scholarship abroad after my service year.....is it feasible for me to get a scholarship and what are the things i would need,pls enlighten me.

Lots of info and resources on nairaland here. Search!

Meanwhile, use your whole NYSC year to prepare mad for the GRE and blast it, I mean real blasting (i.e. 85th percentile and above), then apply to schools in the US and Europe (they don't need GRE) and Canada and Asia and Africa

Admitwithschola:


Hi, you really ignorant bro.

With top grades like yours, hopefully with a solid GRE, you can get a full scholarship in the US and Canada and Europe (without GRE). Search nairaland, lots of info on this. So, yes, people are attending graduate school in the US, Europe and around the world for freeeeeeeee. I did, many years ago. People are still doing so.

Yes, zoology does not have any or have little quantitative component. Same with the other biological courses. This is why my people must do a PgDip first in statistics. A top BSc + top pDip in stats + top GRE score = full scholarship to some of the best universities in the world in one of those courses I listed.

Given my strategy, I would advice my cousin or family against a master in zoology if they already have a first class degree in it.

Saving alawee money of NYSC can amount to 80K which can be used to take the GRE. But to not waste the money, it must be ensured that the GRE is blasted. Search nairaland for information on GRE.

You can still get European scholarships like erasmus, there are many of them, without anything frigging GRE. You can get Japan or Asian scholarship too if you like Asia. But I just prefer America (you don't have to) because if provides wider options and greater chances of getting a scholarship.

OK. Thank you very much. I will work towards it.

Admitwithschola:


I am not sure where you get the idea that managers were afraid of you because of your top university degree. Did you ever consider that you weren't taken because you were not a great feat for them? Or does your first class exclude you from rejection or bad performance? No, it does not. Your comment is really strange. What is a first class outsmarting good people who are also very experienced? First class undergrad > experienced veterans? Lool. This is quite strange. But you will get more exposure as time goes on and will get to know that even first class people with GPA close to 5, they suffer bad rejections sometimes because of their inadequacies. No one is perfect or will ever be perfect.

You are correct to an extent but not for me. My performance is always wow! I can't say I am perfect but based on my experience, i always perform absolutely well. I am not a dullard right from time. I get prepared for everything, interview and all of that. When it comes to skill I have it. I am not proud, but I am telling you the truth. There are lots of test given ranging from knowledge, skills and attitude (KSA) which I perform excellently well. They always tell me to keep me documents that they will call me or they will invite me for a second interview. In Lagos, they always ask if you are Yoruba if you are been interviewed. And I am not. I can see that as a factor too. Anyways, thanks for your contribution.

Admitwithschola:


Lots of info and resources on nairaland here. Search!

Meanwhile, use your whole NYSC year to prepare mad for the GRE and blast it, I mean real blasting (i.e. 85th percentile and above), then apply to schools in the US and Europe (they don't need GRE) and Canada and Asia and Africa

thanks, from your last paragraph did u mean i could get scholarship in Asian or European countries without writing GRE exams meanwhile i am from humble background

Abyima:
You are correct to an extent but not for me. My performance is always wow! I can't say I am perfect but based on my experience, i always perform absolutely well. I am not a dullard right from time. I get prepared for everything, interview and all of that. When it comes to skill I have it. I am not proud, but I am telling you the truth. There are lots of test given ranging from knowledge, skills and attitude (KSA) which I perform excellently well. They always tell me to keep me documents that they will call me or they will invite me for a second interview. In Lagos, they always ask if you are Yoruba if you are been interviewed. And I am not. I can see that as a factor too. Anyways, thanks for your contribution.

Don't worry, you will learn. I am global player and have lived in the same Nigeria. I have seen the best of the best everywhere and have met with candidates like you, many times. And I know that there are many reasons some candidates are not picked for opportunities even when such candidates thought they were the best. It's good to have confidence and belief in oneself as you have, but it also great to allow for different possibilities, including the fact that one may not just be competitive enough for certain things. I doubt it can be that experienced veterans are afraid of some young first class guy outsmarting them. That can happen, but only when the young first class guy becomes a veteran on the job themselves. And this is not a guarantee. Undergraduate performance and work achievements are not perfectly correlated.

That same Lagos, I have worked there and I'm not Yoruba myself. I have never in my life been asked whether I am Yoruba or not, that would be crazy. I don't know the type of opportunities you have been applying for. Lagos has the highest number of non-Yoruba people running organizations, departments and institutions, even organizations owned by Yorubas. Well, maybe your case has been different. Bad people are in all tribes. I understand in Port Harcourt if somebody's name does not 'fit', the person will have a hard time with opportunities.

Nonetheless, I agree with your implied view that no system is perfect, and there will always be loopholes here and there. The key is to keep trying and advancing.

And lastly, if you're that top class and wow as you think, why have you not tried to go MIT or similar places since you graduated? With the top grades and top profile you have, if really top, you "could" stand a chance of getting in, spending two years there or 5 years if you want a PhD, and landing a job of 180K-200K dollars all in compensation rather than competing with them in "Lagos" for 200K naira jobs.

I can help you achieve this if you are interested. Which course did you get your first class and how high is your GPA? Even a first class is not enough, as some have noted, but having it gives you a serious fighting chance anywhere in the world, especially the GPA is seriously bam. 4.49 is a 2:1, 4.52 is a "first class". I have seen both.

NDSMELODY:
thanks, from your last paragraph did u mean i could get scholarship in Asian or European countries without writing GRE exams meanwhile i am from humble background

Yes, you can get scholarships! But you're limited to a few places if you don't do the GRE. I don't know after Corona, but prior to Corona, the US was the highest provider of full and sometimes really generous funding to people from "everywhere".

So I suggest you TAKE the GRE to broaden your chances. You will be able to apply to Asia and Europe plus the US.

Humble background won't be a disadvantage, at least not in your case. So go take the GRE and score a total of ~(320-325). I will return the money (80K) to you. But this is only if you make that score. I could also support your application fees. But again this is only if you make that score.

Send us an email, http://baumtenpers.com/, to keep in touch.

Admitwithschola:


Yes, you can get scholarships! But you're limited to a few places if you don't do the GRE. I don't know after Corona, but prior to Corona, the US was the highest provider of full and sometimes really generous funding to people from "everywhere".

So I suggest you TAKE the GRE to broaden your chances. You will be able to apply to Asia and Europe plus the US.

Humble background won't be a disadvantage, at least not in your case. So go take the GRE and score a total of ~(320-325). I will return the money (80K) to you. But this is only if you make that score. I could also support your application fees. But again this is only if you make that score.

Send us an email, http://baumtenpers.com/, to keep in touch.

i had like to apply without GRE i dnt mind if i am restricted to some contries sir meanwhile i prefer china since i studied electrical engineering because they are one of the best in technology aspect.......pls guide me as i will round up my program before december hopefully after convid 19 pandemic

Admitwithschola:


Ring it again and again let them hear. If undergraduate students can get a first, by all means they should go for it. It opens doors.

Abi I reported here sometime ago that I met with one of your egg heads at Harvard of all places. He was invited as a panelist to share his ideas on navigating business in Africa. Perhaps if he didn't earn a top undergrad at Ife and subsequently good opportunities which led him to the business he is now running, perhaps the story might have been different.

Young people, top academic performance still makes sense. If fact, people go out of their ways to support such people. I do that routinely.

Good to hear from you again.

Hope you’re keeping safe.

NDSMELODY:
i had like to apply without GRE i dnt mind if i am restricted to some contries sir meanwhile i prefer china since i studied electrical engineering because they are one of the best in technology aspect.......pls guide me as i will round up my program before december hopefully after convid 19 pandemic

Hello,

I don't know much about China - though one girl on here who was almost jonsing after getting a very good GPA and years after graduation, we took her on and supported her. The focus was not on China, but she applied to China as one of the places to try. That was where she got a scholarship.

Search for this person - Rozzy303. Do not say I asked you to contact them, but contact them nonetheless, and get ideas on how to get China scholarship.

Let me state again that I don't know much about China and don't have people who are aspiring to go there

Jarus:


Good to hear from you again.

Hope you’re keeping safe.

Thanks Jarus, it's going good.

Deltayankeeboi:


I intend to practice in any field that will give me a good life. I plan on going for Master's degree first on full scholarship in Germany in microbiology or related course and if possible base there. I believe age comes into play too in having a good career in education, by the time I will be ready to go for my Master's, I will probably be 25,26 by then because I have to work for money first. I feel that age is too late sir.

I have checked online, the prospects for animal and environmental biology graduate are not really encouraging as they are not much needed in the western world from what I gathered online but not sure about the true reality there, even worse here in Nigeria, the course is nothing. I regret been in the department now.

Not even sure if there are management programme courses one can do related to zoology. I'm really confused.

1. Apply to PwC, KPMG, Deloitte, EY and related companies. They recruit grads almost all year round. They dont care about course of study once you have 2:1, below 26 (in most cases), and can pass their test and interview. They are the surest bet for any decent graduate. Only that they divert your career to management fields like consulting, accounting, taxation, HR, etc. they also have good international brand that can be helpful for you to seek similar jobs abroad.

2. Alternatively, with your first class, you can find relevant scholarship abroad. I dont know much about scholarships but I have seen people get it. Research it.

But if you want to divert to management field as stated in option 1, pls do so and dont go for masters now because by the time you are back, you may be too old to be invited by these firms for entry level openings.

Abyima:
You won't understand bro. I perform marvelously well during any interview. There is an oil company I went, the manager was afraid to ask me question after hearing my degree. She told the assistant to ask me but the assistant manager was scared and told the manager that she can't.

So forget it bro.

Why are they scared to ask first class graduates questions?

You need to support your education with skills...

You can start paint production with little or no capital, check my signature to get the free manual.

relicng:
You need to support your education with skills...

You can start paint production with little or no capital, check my signature to get the free manual.

Lol.

I love your suggestion of "paint production skills". Wonderful!

Jarus:


1. Apply to PwC, KPMG, Deloitte, EY and related companies. They recruit grads almost all year round. They dont care about course of study once you have 2:1, below 26 (in most cases), and can pass their test and interview. They are the surest bet for any decent graduate. Only that they divert your career to management fields like consulting, accounting, taxation, HR, etc. they also have good international brand that can be helpful for you to seek similar jobs abroad.

2. Alternatively, with your first class, you can find relevant scholarship abroad. I dont know much about scholarships but I have seen people get it. Research it.

But if you want to divert to management field as stated in option 1, pls do so and dont go for masters now because by the time you are back, you may be too old to be invited by these firms for entry level openings.

I will work towards it all. Thanks very much. I feel hopeful again.

Admitwithschola:


Hello,

I don't know much about China - though one girl on here who was almost jonsing after getting a very good GPA and years after graduation, we took her on and supported her. The focus was not on China, but she applied to China as one of the places to try. That was where she got a scholarship.

Search for this person - Rozzy303. Do not say I asked you to contact them, but contact them nonetheless, and get ideas on how to get China scholarship.

Let me state again that I don't know much about China and don't have people who are aspiring to go there

thank you,i appreciate ur sincerity....i will check on her or better still can u help with her gmail so i could send her a message

NDSMELODY:
thank you,i appreciate ur sincerity....i will check on her or better still can u help with her gmail so i could send her a message

Yes, check on her.

I am sure she will be happy to help you, just as she was helped.

So no hope for those of us with 2.1. Maybe I will just try GRE

Nelsizzy:
So no hope for those of us with 2.1. Maybe I will just try GRE

Depends on the type of 2:1 you have.

Just to give some positive story to inspire you. Two of our RAs recently got into PhD programmes - one in Canada, the other one in southy. Both 2:2 BSc, but did well in master's. One did GRE and got some really nice recommendation letters. He got into Canada top 30+ university, fully funded.

If you're someone who had very solid secondary school education, I think prepping for the GRE for like 3 months, giving it a blast of close to 330, and getting solid reference letters from people who will actively sing your praise, all these will help you.

Don't just "maybe try" the GRE. Actively prepare smartly for it as if your life depended on it. If you don't actively prepare, you will land in the average pool of no more than 300. The good news is that in Nigeria, at least, GRE seems to have only little correlation with undergraduate grades. This is good news for you, because you may take it and score way higher than you friends who are first class people. In some programmes, the GRE is a "filter", so even if someone has high undergrad grades but has just OK GRE, their application might get filtered out before someone even gets a chance of evaluating it.

So, if grad school interests you, try to prepare harrrrrrrrd and smarrrrrrrrt for the GRE and do well on it. If other parts of your application, as mentioed above, are good, you will get into at least one fully funded MSc/PhD programme.

Doing an RA also helps crazily. Publications (not junk oo, something decent) also helps too. Try to find at least one of your former lecturers and volunteer to RA for them and possibly write and publish at least one decent paper with them.

So, with your 2:1 (hopefully >= 4.0, >=3.5 not bad sha), GRE (very good score will always help, very good is well over 160+ quant and at least 155 in verbal), high-sounding letters of recommendation, RA experience, publications, you will stand a very high chance of getting into a decent grad school in the US.

For those trying to gauge their study further studies chances, I am compiling a list of the students that we have mentored. List still modest and information not exhaustive, but it gives some guidance of what is possible.

https://www.nairaland.com/781025/economists-forum-students-professionals/7#89815509

Admitwithschola:


Depends on the type of 2:1 you have.

Just to give some positive story to inspire you. Two of our RAs recently got into PhD programmes - one in Canada, the other one in southy. Both 2:2 BSc, but did well in master's. One did GRE and got some really nice recommendation letters. He got into Canada top 30+ university, fully funded.

If you're someone who had very solid secondary school education, I think prepping for the GRE for like 3 months, giving it a blast of close to 330, and getting solid reference letters from people who will actively sing your praise, all these will help you.

Don't just "maybe try" the GRE. Actively prepare smartly for it as if your life depended on it. If you don't actively prepare, you will land in the average pool of no more than 300. The good news is that in Nigeria, at least, GRE seems to have only little correlation with undergraduate grades. This is good news for you, because you may take it and score way higher than you friends who are first class people. In some programmes, the GRE is a "filter", so even if someone has high undergrad grades but has just OK GRE, their application might get filtered out before someone even gets a chance of evaluating it.

So, if grad school interests you, try to prepare harrrrrrrrd and smarrrrrrrrt for the GRE and do well on it. If other parts of your application, as mentioed above, are good, you will get into at least one fully funded MSc/PhD programme.

Doing an RA also helps crazily. Publications (not junk oo, something decent) also helps too. Try to find at least one of your former lecturers and volunteer to RA for them and possibly write and publish at least one decent paper with them.

So, with your 2:1 (hopefully >= 4.0, >=3.5 not bad sha), GRE (very good score will always help, very good is well over 160+ quant and at least 155 in verbal), high-sounding letters of recommendation, RA experience, publications, you will stand a very high chance of getting into a decent grad school in the US.

Finally, I refund cost of GRE (80K) to any Nigerian who is able to cross the 325 mark, so if you take the GRE and score 326, you should reach out to me for a refund and possibly for some support towards payment of application fees for application to US unis.

Wow. I am speechless. So I think the 2.1 is good enough, can't place the exact point now but it was up to a 4 at 300L.

My secondary school background is strong enough and about me "just trying" GRE that was me being sarcastic. I hate losing, so if I do decide to take the exams I am definitely giving it 100%. I have also tried with building myself in that area by taking scholarship exams as an undergraduate (wrote 3 national exams in total and I was successful in 2; fell short in the 3rd one by 2 marks).

And about RA, I don't know. I wasn't exactly close to lecturers in school so building that kind of relationship now might be a problem. Getting recommendation letters won't be a problem but you made mention of RAs being a deal breaker.

I am currently following you for guidance on this journey.